Drug induced hearing impairmenta - pilotstudy

ABSTRACT

The aim of the study is to observe the drugs causing hearing impairment, their likely mechanism and developing rational approach for prevention and management of this therapeutic problem. Patients attending OPD and IPD with any evidence of drug induced ototoxicity were included in the study and they were further evaluated by detailed history of drug exposure and local and audiometric examination of ear to find out the type and extent of hearing impairment and drugs responsible for ototoxicity. 120 patients of ototoxicity caused by various drugs and of varying degrees were included in the study and we observed that aminoglycosides are the most common cause and tinnitus is the most common manifestation of ototoxicity. Hearing impairment is initially of high frequency which in severe cases also included abnormal speech frequencies.A significant hearing loss had already established in most of the patients before the hearing impairment became apparent to patients or even prescribing physician, so these drugs should be avoided where possible or preventive measures must be applied at least in high risk individuals